AIDAnova: Storm Chaos in Copenhagen – How the LNG Ship Recovered the Journey

Copenhagen/Kiel – A cruise is meant to start relaxed, but for the guests on the AIDAnova, the departure from Copenhagen on the evening of October 23, 2025, became a test of patience. Due to Storm Benjamin, the enormous LNG cruise ship had to abort its cast-off maneuver several times. However, the crew on board skillfully managed the challenge: With the help of tugboats, the departure was finally successful, and thanks to a fast voyage at sea, the several-hour delay was almost completely compensated. The scheduled onward journey and today's passenger change in Kiel are secured.

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The AIDAnova was originally scheduled to depart from the Danish port in the early evening. However, the strong crosswinds from Storm Benjamin thwarted the ship's command. The wind loads hitting the massive lateral surface of the large vessel were so immense that the onboard maneuvering systems—such as the bow and stern thrusters—could not guarantee control.

Two attempts to safely move the ship away from the pier failed. A critical safety decision had to be made on board: The maneuver was aborted to prevent a dangerous collision with the pier. This was clearly classified as a weather-related incident; technical issues with the propulsion systems were not the cause.

The situation was particularly sensitive because the AIDAnova was connected to shore power in Copenhagen. For a cast-off maneuver without the immediate, full power of the main engines, the ship relies primarily on its thrusters. This combination of main engines shut down and extreme crosswind overwhelmed the maneuverability of the Helios-class ship.

Only a third attempt, which took place around 11:30 PM, was successful. The AIDAnova could only safely move portside away from the quay with the mandatory assistance of tugboats. At this point, the delay already exceeded three hours.

At sea, speed was essential to restore the schedule. The crew utilized the ship’s powerful LNG propulsion systems to significantly increase the transit speed on the way to the next port, Aarhus. This process is also known as a Speed-Up.

The strategy paid off: Thanks to the high-speed voyage, most of the lost time was recovered overnight. The AIDAnova reached Aarhus on the morning of October 24, as scheduled, at 8:00 AM. The layover time could be used as planned. The ship departed on time at 6:00 PM, sailing starboard for Kiel.

With the punctual arrival in Kiel today, Saturday, October 25, 2025, the final, time-critical step has been completed. The passenger change (turnaround) for the subsequent voyage can commence as scheduled. A delay in Kiel would have affected thousands of passengers and incurred high logistical costs.

The incident in Copenhagen, a strategically important port for AIDA, shows how critical the maneuvering limits of large ships are in strong winds, especially when modern, environmentally friendly operating modes (shore power usage) delay the full, immediate power of the main engines during departure. However, the quick reaction and the successful compensation of the delay underscore the high operational resilience of the cruise line and the capability of the AIDAnova's LNG technology.